Are we on the verge of Elimination?

Words that could parallel the song “Eve of Destruction” by PF Sloan written in 1965.  A lot of the lyrics were against the Vietnam War and a growing synopsis of world events that America found itself involved in.  The Korean conflict, of which I spent some time in the U. S. Army, also was considered an unnecessary conflict.  Once the Reds crossed the 38th parallel there never has been peace between North and South Korea.  It is still one of the most volatile regions in Asia.   

However, history states that when we forget the past we are likely to repeat its inclinations, usually within the scope of evil pronouncements.  

Have we finally reached the pinnacle of peace and a solitude of nations that put to rest the need to control boundaries, or citizens who live within?  I remember my mother saying WWI was the war to end all wars.  Then came WWII, Korea, Vietnam, conflicts such as the Gulf War and many others that form a list without bringing armed conflicts to the desired effect of peace.  The answer is no!  It appears globally we may never come to a peaceful conclusion between nations, local communities, and even individuals.  This brings us to the scenario of what about the possibility of a not too far attack on Israel.  Scripture has laid out that a final conflict will place Jerusalem at the center and the battle will be Armageddon, described as the last battle between good and evil.  

There may be some, or perhaps many, who will say much of Revelation or the Apocalypse is a metaphor or some of the visions have already occurred.  

God has allowed mankind more than enough time to repent and seek His blessings and turn to him.  However, there are a lot of verses in Sacred Scripture that allude to signs that will take place towards the return of Christ, issuing in a final conclusive battle presenting God’s wrath upon the earth.  This is not a war to take over national boundaries, but one to save souls from destroying the earth and losing too many souls to hell.  The answer to all of this is sin!

From Genesis through the present day God has shown us the Way, the Truth, and the Life to avoid the ultimate.  Jesus Christ told us he is the Way, Truth, and Life.  In the end, it will only be through Christ that this battle for souls will end in victory for God.

Matthew’s Gospel presents the Eschatological discourse displaying events that will precede it.  “Tell us, when will this happen, and what sign will there be of your coming, and the end of the age?”  “See that no-one deceives you.  For many will come in my name saying, I am the Messiah, and they will deceive many.  You will hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not alarmed, for these things must happen, but it will not yet be the end.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be famines and earthquakes from place to place.  All these are the beginning of the labor pains.”  (Mt. 24: 3-8).

So, do these things resonate with current activities and appear as common?  Yes, but not as many and as often, especially with global warming.  The intensity of the ice-bergs melting at an alarming rate, floods that are greater than in human history, and the intense forest fires that are a result of the global warming effect on the planet.  It isn’t God creating these events, but he will not stop them.

Matthews Gospel, continues: “Then they will hand you over to persecutors and they will kill you.  You will be hated by all nations because of my name.  And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another.  Many false prophets will arise and deceive many; and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.”  (Mt. 24: 9-12). 

Do we not see this happening?  The teaching of the gospel is being suppressed, religious artifacts are being removed from public areas, and the very name of God, especially Jesus, is replaced by a name unheard of, without any semblance of our creator.  

“But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come.”  (Mt.  24: 13 - 14). 

“Immediately After the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”  (Mt; 29 - 30)

The signs are plentiful and even though Jesus said the end is known only to the Father, there are more signs now than ever before in history.  Do not lose faith but be prepared for whatever is ahead.      

Ralph B. Hathaway, Signs of the Times, 2021